Job seeking

Veloflyer

Looking for some advice here please to pass on to my 21 year old son. Essentially, how on Earth does one obtain a half decent permanent job these days? I am next to useless when it comes to advice for him - having no real clue how the employment world now operates, being an IT dinosaur, and only having contacts within my own diminishing industry - oil and gas - for which he is not really cut out for. He is willing to travel and has a clutch of basic qualifications. 

Where does one look? How does one approach things these days? Is it a case of who you know? From personal experience, agencies are next to useless and sending opportune CVs elicit no response.  Company websites perhaps? State employment? Emigration?

I realize things are very tough so I can readily understand that best efforts may still come to nought, but perhaps if the correct approach is at least adopted, then the chances of obtaining something may increase           

Desmond_Hume

Apprenticeship?  What are his skills, qualifications and experience?

Veloflyer

Desmond_Hume said:

Apprenticeship?  What are his skills, qualifications and experience?

I'd certainly favour an apprenticeship for him - if only they can be found.  Skills etc - not much to be honest. He flunked school, clutch of O level type qualifications - then did an HND in retail design - clothing/shop displays/shop layout type of stuff. Seemingly not much around to use those skills. He has good people skills though - can be endearing...sometimes....Everything is on the table for consideration. He needs stability to build upon.  

twopenny

What he needs is some practice in a few jobs first to put on a CV and to get an idea of what he does and doesn't like. He'll also see what others are doing and what he might like a go at.
21 is a bit late but not too late if he gets stuck in.

Yes apprenticeship is a good way in but he needs to know what he can't stand before that.

Some of the trades are lucrative and need interaction with people.
I have enough certificates to paper a wall but always said I should have been a plumber or electrician. 

Veloflyer

twopenny said:

What he needs is some practice in a few jobs first to put on a CV and to get an idea of what he does and doesn't like. He'll also see what others are doing and what he might like a go at.
21 is a bit late but not too late if he gets stuck in.

Yes apprenticeship is a good way in but he needs to know what he can't stand before that.

Some of the trades are lucrative and need interaction with people.
I have enough certificates to paper a wall but always said I should have been a plumber or electrician. 

Well yes - Your step 1 is proving difficult......

Brie

sign on with an agency to do temp work.  it always worked for me having moved about quite a bit and needing to start from scratch each time.  

Grumpy_chap

What is your son's actual work, training, etc status at the moment?
If he is doing nothing then how does he fund his life?
Can he harness any careers advice / support of any kind, perhaps from his former College?

EnPointe

Veloflyer said:

Looking for some advice here please to pass on to my 21 year old son. Essentially, how on Earth does one obtain a half decent permanent job these days? I am next to useless when it comes to advice for him - having no real clue how the employment world now operates, being an IT dinosaur, and only having contacts within my own diminishing industry - oil and gas - for which he is not really cut out for. He is willing to travel and has a clutch of basic qualifications. 

Where does one look? How does one approach things these days? Is it a case of who you know? From personal experience, agencies are next to useless and sending opportune CVs elicit no response.  Company websites perhaps? State employment? Emigration?

I realize things are very tough so I can readily understand that best efforts may still come to nought, but perhaps if the correct approach is at least adopted, then the chances of obtaining something may increase           

generally by  a role with less favourable terms of engagement at  the target employer  e.g.  when i worked in Logistics  a lot of staff upto   Ops Manager started out as agency picker / packer /forkies  - the  pathway was survive post peak agency cull - get  the nod to apply for a perm role, get promoted as a perm

similar applies with McDonalds,   you  start as a crew  member on a flexible contract  you  either get promoted to Crew trainer or  get a  guaranteed hours contract, you  impress  as a CT    and get the nod for floor  or  Shift manager ...   a lot of Salaried Managers,  Franchise  Senior support teams and McD corporate roles   go to people with  experience as  Shift Managers in Store 


also other organisations like peopel who have been  through the training schemes of  big corporates  who deal in fast moving stuff becasue of the transferrable skills it gives you ...  

NHS  etc it's understanding the  recruitment process, and knowing  what the likely interview questiosn are and  what a high score looks like 

  

gwynlas

He's missed out on an oppportunity to take on a retail role as a temporary worker this Christmas but this might have led to his getting in touch with emplyees in retail design.

Apart from this he could look for work in the hospitality industry which will help with people skiills.

I had the benefits of seeing a coach and exploring what jobs might be suitable for me using psychological testimg.
i am sure that there must be loads of information on line where he could explore ideas eg a horticultural apprenticeship might lead to landscape design

Essentially everyone pays at least minimum wage these days so he cannot be ripped off in any job. 

As for achieving a higher wage he needs to find something that engages him enough to put some effort in to rise to a higher paying position.

Chop-D

He could try applying for an NHS role. Health Care Support Worker might be a good role as full training is provided. Extra pay for some unsocial hours can also give a decent boost to pay. NHS job search here: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate. 

itsthelittlethings

Can he really not get a retail job? His qualifications is ideal for that. It may not be his dream job but it’s a start. Then he can look for something else while he’s working or look to progress into management.